The ship took an hour to dock at Southampton, but to him, it seemed a matter of minutes. Time flowed differently outside of the island. On the island, a day was as long as a year. On the ship, everything happened quickly. Everyone was in a rush. London would be worse. The passengers disembarked in a steady flow, talking excitedly.
Mrs. Debenham handed Verity a few guineas and patted her shoulder. “Hurry.”
“Where is she supposed to hurry?” Maddie asked in a sharp tone.
“I’ll go ahead and send a wire to Lord Quentin.” Holding her hat, Verity rushed towards the stairs.
Quentin. Hector hadn’t seen him in well over a decade. Goosebumps covered his skin as if icy shards pricked it. Maddie narrowed her gaze over her mother who kept smiling.
“Mr. Wentworth.” Dr. Landon approached him and removed his hat.
Hector bowed his head in greeting.
“I have a practice on Harley Street. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need me.”
“Thank you for your help, doctor.” Hector shook his hand. “You’ve been very kind.”
“I’m glad I helped.” Dr. Landon held Hector’s hand. “I’m sure you’ll be all right in London. Just remember that manners maketh man.” He released Hector’s hand and bowed to Maddie and Mrs. Debenham before strolling away.
Hector exhaled. Great. If manners made a man, who was he?
People chatted, laughed, and carried their luggage among sailors and attendants. He waited for the deck to be almost empty before heading for the flight of stairs that would allow him to walk again on British soil.
“Ready?” Maddie asked.
“Do I have a choice?”
“Not really.” She hooked her arm through his. “But I’ll be with you. We’ll share this moment.”
With Maddie at his arm, he left the ship on unsteady legs. The last time he’d been to Southampton, he’d embarked aboard theObservatoryin a troubled state. The thought of leaving Maddie sick and pale behind had tormented him. But he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t been hopeful and excited as well, looking forward to studying the Amazonian Forest. Now he wasn’t either hopeful or excited.
“We’re going to take a train to London,” Maddie said, steering him away from the crowd.
He scowled when a group of passengers ran past him, causing him to stiffen. The noise of dozens of voices, footsteps, and horses made his pulse go faster and his ears buzz.
Ladies in colourful frocks and hats chatted or waved their hands to the passengers. People hugged each other and cried their welcomes or goodbyes. Someone played an accordion somewhere, and a small dog barked as its mistress held it in her arms.
So many smells, not all of them pleasant. The ladies’ perfumes mingled with the scent of roasted meat from the street vendors and coal from the ships. A shine of humidity glistened on the cobblestones, and he nearly slipped. He jolted when a ship let out a piercing hoot. His brain couldn’t deal with all the colours and the sounds, but he searched the crowd for Robert all the same. Having left the island seemed like a terrible idea. England was too much. A choking sensation gripped him.
“Hector.” Maddie gently tugged at his arm and led him to the station. “This way. Ignore the crowd.”
He held her arm harder when a pair of tall men strode close to them, but she didn’t seem worried. His thoughts piled up in his mind so quickly he couldn’t keep up with them.
So many people. How would he pay for the train? Horses everywhere. Was that a seagull? He shouldn’t have had breakfast.
Verity bought the tickets, or so Maddie told him. He couldn’t keep his focus on her, too distracted by the overwhelming crowd. Only her arm anchored him to the ground. If she let him go, he’d float away with his thoughts like a kite.
“We’re nearly there.” She helped him down a flight of marble stairs stained by grease and oil.
He kept being distracted by people and sounds, almost tumbling down the stairs. So much for being independent.
Panting, Verity joined them. “The message has been sent. Hopefully, Lord Quentin will receive it before we arrive.”
He calmed down when he finally sat in the carriage and opened his coat. The plush seat smelled of worn leather, a pleasant change from the stink of coal. Maddie sat in front of him with her mother and sister. His stomach flipped when the train jerked forwards and sped up. The train’s loud whistle pierced his eardrums. He ought to calm himself. As the train raced towards London, the red-brick houses of Southampton disappeared behind a curve, replaced by green fields gleaming with dew.
“What are you planning to do once in London?” Mrs. Debenham asked. “You’ll have a lot to do with your title to reinstate.”
When she smiled, her similarity with her daughters was striking but for one thing. Verity’s and Maddie’s smiles were warm and genuine. Mrs. Debenham’s was strained and calculated.
